Hi to all--

I have been doing so well ramping up on Natren Life Start II and Digestalac---1/2 t. x 1/day. Not alot, but big progress for me. However, for the last few days, I have experienced what I would call liver problems. I have some pain on my right side, am very gassy, stuffed up colon-wise (even though I am having bowel movements), stuffy in the sinuses, my eyes hurt, and if I bear down when going to the bathroom, some right side pain then, also. Sometimes faintly nauseated and don't feel good enough to be truly hungry...also BM's smell very bad.

It would make sense to me that die-off (from ramping up probiotics) would involve the liver, since it works with the intestinal tract....? I do eat alot of pumpkin, which, due to its high beta-carotene content, can be hard on the liver. I am also on an Estradiol patch and take 25mg./day natural progesterone by mouth (my goal is to kick that after one more month) Have had liver panels run within the last year and they have been fine. This bout really worries me and am curious if anyone has any thoughts about this. I don't find the liver mentioned in anything I have read about die-off, but hoping that is the cause.

Thanks so much!!

Hi, Susan.

First, I want to say up-front that I don't KNOW the answer, but here are my thoughts. See if anything resonates with you and I'll also ask Jini to comment.

It makes intuitive sense to me, as well, that the liver would have some part to play in die-off. The immune system, as well. As pathogens die, they can release toxins and the body reacts to that. Different people react differently. But certainly, the liver would be involved in helping to process any toxins.

But you know what another possibility is, as well, is detox. Probiotics help to calm the liver. Remember that I'm not a doctor, but it makes sense to me that that being the case, the liver may be helped to do its job better as a result. So possibly, you've progressed to the point where your body is ready to release some toxins, which would be a positive thing, but could indeed make you feel worse for a few days.

For myself, I certainly don't always know in any absolute sense the answer for myself when I go through something like that. It's more a matter (for me) of having a hunch or a "feel", going with it and responding to my body's feedback. It's a little bit trial and error.

Unless you really have a feeling that something is wrong, I'd actually pamper/nurture/cherish yourself in every way you can (enough rest, whatever foods your gut finds easy and "friendly", do something just for joy every day, etc.) for a few days and see if it calms down on its own. It very well may.

Nicole

Yes, I would echo what Nicole has written.

Also, check the list of side effects for your Estradiol patch and see what they are, also note what point you're at in your menstrual cycle - these may also provide some clues.

take care,
Jini